Control system for use with one or more building power circuits

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a control device for use with two or more building power circuits, the control device delimited by a control device housing. The control device includes a receiver configured to receive radio frequency signals. The control device further includes at least two power outputs configured for receiving power. The first and second power outputs are associated with first and second power inputs, respectively. At least one switching relay is associated with at least one of the first and second power inputs and is configured to provide switched power, in response to radio frequency signals received by the receiver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/979,455, filed on Dec. 27, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/786,960, filed on Mar. 6, 2013, which hassince granted as U.S. Pat. No. 9,236,738, and which claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/608,484, the entirecontents of which said applications are herein incorporated by referencein their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to a control system, and moreparticularly to a control system for use with one or more building powercircuits.

BACKGROUND

In the interest of energy conservation and given the proliferation ofportable plug-in electrical devices used in offices, there is a growingneed for control of convenience power receptacles and/or receptaclecircuits deployed in offices. This especially applies to powerreceptacles deployed in association with portable and modular officefurniture. The need is further elevated by energy conservationlegislation that requires the implementation of such control inbuildings. However, notwithstanding the need to implement switchingcontrol of office power receptacle circuits, it is equally desirable,and at the same time necessary, to provide unswitched convenience powerin offices for devices that must remain energized on a 24-hour schedule.These devices include networked personal computers and the like.

The current art includes circuit controllers that are wired inassociation with building wiring and modular wiring to provide on/offcontrol of circuits that may include one or more plug load orconvenience power receptacles controlled in response to signals receivedat the controller via a digital data link and/or from one or moresensors connected to the controller. However, a disadvantage of suchcontrollers is the lack of a wireless (i.e. radio frequency) input andthus the need for access to a wired data or signal link when interfacedwith remote sensors, sensor networks, and/or building energy managementsystems.

In addition, the current art currently includes circuit controllers thatare wired in association with power wiring so as to provide on/offcontrol of circuits inclusive of one or more convenience powerreceptacles in response to signals received from one or more sensorsconnected directly to the controller and via radio frequencytransmissions from remote sensors, sensor networks and/or buildingenergy management systems received via an imbedded radio receiver.However, one disadvantage of such controllers with embedded radioreceivers is their inability to detect or “hear,” and reliably respondto, wireless control commands when said controllers and receivers aredisposed in the context of modular, plug-and-play multi-circuit powersystems such as those deployed in modular furniture and the like.

The current art further includes portable controllers powered by a cordand plug, which provide dimming control of one or more controllableluminaires via plug-and-play connectors and plug-and-play cabling,wherein the diming occurs in response to sensors connected to thecontroller via plug-and-play connections and via radio frequencytransmissions from remote sensors, sensor networks, and/or buildingenergy management systems received via an imbedded radio receiver.However, one disadvantage of such controllers is the lack off an abilityto desirably control (i.e. energize and de-energize) circuits that mayinclude one or more convenience power receptacles.

The current art still further includes portable controllers powered by acord and plug, which provide switching control of one or more portableelectrical appliances via plug-and-play connections, the controloccurring in response to radio frequency transmissions from remotesensors, sensor networks, and/or building energy management systemsreceived via an imbedded radio receiver. However, such controllers lackthe ability to inherently establish a desirable mix of controlledconvenience power receptacles and uncontrolled convenience powerreceptacles associated with portable office furniture systems.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a control system for use with one or more building powercircuits, the control system including a control device delimited by acontrol device housing, the control device being configured to receivepower from the building power circuits and provide power to at least onepower output, and a receiver configured to receive radio frequencysignals, the receiver being disposed remote of the control devicehousing and configured for removable wired connection with the controldevice.

Disclosed is a control system for use with one or more building powercircuits, the control system including a first control device portiondelimited by a first portion housing, the first control device portionbeing configured to receive power from the building power circuits andprovide power to at least one power output, a second control deviceportion delimited by a second portion housing remote of the firsthousing portion, wherein the second control device portion includes areceiver configured to receive signals, the second control deviceportion being in wired connection with the first control device portion,at least one switch circuit disposed in the first portion housing andconfigured to provide switched power to one or more of the at least onepower output, an auxiliary power supply disposed in the first portionhousing and configured to provide power to the second control deviceportion via the wired connection, and a controller disposed in thesecond portion housing, the controller being configured for at least oneof connection with and control of the receiver, the switch circuit, andthe auxiliary power supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionshould be more fully understood from the following detailed descriptionof illustrative embodiments taken in conjuncture with the accompanyingFigures in which like elements are numbered alike in the severalFigures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a controller system in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another controller system in accordancewith another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another controller system in accordancewith another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another controller system in accordancewith another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of controller system in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of controller system in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of controller system in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of controller system in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of controller system in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of controller system in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of controller system in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of controller system in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of controller system in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 best illustrates an exemplary control device 1 and receiver 2 ofa control system 3 for use with one or more building power circuits (notshown in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 1, the control device, which isdefined by a control housing 4, is configured for receiving power fromthe building via wiring 5, and is also configured to provide power to atleast one power output via wiring 6. The control device includes variouscontrol elements including a switch circuit 1 a (such as one or moreswitching relays), a controller or circuit board 1 b (which controls theswitch circuit and perhaps the receiver/transceiver), and an auxiliaryelement 1 c for providing auxiliary power to the controller 1 b. Use andconfiguration of this control system 3 with various inputs, outputs, andsensors will be discussed later in the disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the receiver 2 of the system 3 is remote of thecontrol device housing 4, and disposed in removable wired connectionwith the control device 1 via a flexible extension 7. This wiredconnection via extension 7 is removable in the sense that the extension7 and housing 4 are configured for quick-connect/quick-disconnectplugging connection at port 8 of the housing 4. In other words, thereceiver 2 and control device 1 of the system 3 are configured forplug-and-play connections, and any reference to“quick-connect/quick-disconnect plugging connection” in this disclosurecan be defined as and synonymous with a plug-and-play connection.

Advantageously, the receiver 2, which is a radio frequency receiver inan exemplary embodiment, is positionable independently of control device1 by means of the flexible extension 7. This allows control device 1,inclusive of switch circuit 1 a, to be disposed within any constructions(even those that are known to attenuate radio frequency signals such asthe cavities of electrified modular office furniture systems and thelike), and to be of electrically grounded metallic construction, andthus, to be configured as an integral part of a modular furniture wiringsystem. Similarly, this allows receiver 2 to be disposed in a positionfavorable for receiving radio signals. The receiver 2 may be enclosed ina housing penetrable by radio frequency signals and include a radioreceiver or transceiver and an associated antenna, or simply the antennaassociated with an imbedded radio receiver. Furthermore, flexibleextension 7 may be a shielded cable that prevents induced signals (suchas radio signals) along its length, and plug-and-play connector 9 may beprovided to facilitate connection and interchangeability of flexibleextension 7 with the port 8 or other flexible connections that may varyin length or cable type or may include other receivers 2 of various formfactors, radio sensitivities, signal directionalities, or the like.Indeed, the extension 7 may be or configured to be of any lengthdesirable for system use.

The control device 1 and receiver 2 of the system 3 as discussed abovemay be used in various configurations. These configurations will bediscussed herein below with reference to FIGS. 2-10.

FIG. 2 discloses control devices 10 and 11 (similar to the controldevice 1 shown in FIG. 1), which each include the switch circuit 1 a,controller 1 b, and auxiliary element 1 c discussed above. Each controldevice 10 and 11 is in wired in association with power output wiring 12(similar to wiring 6 of FIG. 1) so as to provide on/off control ofcircuits that may include one or more convenience power receptacles 13in response to signals received at the controller from one or moresensors 14 (e.g. motion sensors) connected directly to the controllerand/or via radio frequency transmissions from remote sensors, sensornetworks, and/or building energy management systems received viaplug-and-play receivers 15 (similar to the receiver 2 of FIG. 1). Eachof the control devices 10 and 11 is dedicated to switch a circuit andmay provide analog 0-10V dimming control, whereby a control output 16 ofthe controller 11 is wired directly to a controllable ballast or driver17 in a luminaire 18.

Referring next to FIG. 3, a portable control device 30 (similar to thecontrol device 1 of FIG. 1, but without the switch circuit 1 a) in acontrol system is shown to be powered by a cord and a remote plug-inpower supply 31. The control device 30 provides dimming control of oneor more controllable luminaires 32 via controller 1 b, plug-and-playconnectors 34 and plug-and-play cable 35 in response to sensors 36 (e.g.motion sensors) connected to the control device 30 via plug-and-playconnections 37 and/or via transmissions from remote sensors, sensornetworks and/or building energy management systems received via aplug-and-play receiver 38 (similar to receiver 2 of FIG. 1). Thisembodiment is particularly suitable for dimming portable luminaires(such as luminaire 32 in FIG. 3) in response to available daylight.

Referring to FIG. 4, another portable control device 40 (similar to thecontrol device 1 of FIG. 1) in a control system is shown to be poweredby a cord and plug 41. The control device 40 provides switching controlof a single portable electrical appliance (such as portable luminaire42) or a single circuit array of convenience power receptacles 43typically found in portable office and classroom furniture via singularplug-and-play connector 47 and in response to transmissions from remotesensors, sensor networks and/or building energy management systemsreceived via a plug-and-play radio receiver 44 (similar to the receiver2 of FIG. 1).

Referring now to FIG. 5, a portable control device 50 (similar to thecontrol device 1 of FIG. 1) in a control system is shown. The controldevice 50 is powered by a single cord and plug 51 and provides bothunswitched power for one or more convenience power receptacles 52 (suchas those provided in association with portable office furniture) viaplug-and-play connector 53, and provides switching control of one ormore similar convenience power receptacles 54 via switching relay 55 ofswitch circuit 1 a and plug-and-play connector 56 in response totransmissions from remote sensors, sensor networks, and/or buildingenergy management systems received via a plug-and-play receiver 57(similar to receiver 2 of FIG. 1). It is noted that plug-and-playconnectors 53 and 56 may be common power cord extension fittings or maybe any connector configured to interface with modular receptacle arrays52 and 54 in a portable furniture power system. Advantageous operationallows an appliance or plug load such as portable luminaire 58 to beswitched on and off in response to local occupancy or time-of-daysignaling received by control device 50 via receiver 57 when saidappliance, luminaire, or plug load is powered via one of the convenienceoutlets of receptacle array 54.

Referring to FIG. 6, another exemplary embodiment of a control system isshown, wherein all items correspond to like numbered items in FIG. 5,and the plug-and-play connectors 53 and 56 are replaced by a singlemulti-circuit plug-and-play connector 61 that is configured to interfacewith multi-circuit modular wiring system 62. The system includes controldevice 50′, which may be configured with an extended portion 63 that mayconstitute a multi-conductor cable assembly.

Referring next to FIG. 7, another exemplary embodiment of a system isshown, wherein all items correspond to like numbered items in FIGS. 5and 6, and plug-and-play connectors 71 are added to interface with oneor more sensors 72 (e.g. motion sensors) such that control device 50″can provide switching control of receptacle array 54 in response tolocal sensor signals (e.g. motion sensing) in addition to, instead of,or in combination with radio frequency transmissions received via radioreceiver 57.

FIG. 8 further illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a system isshown, wherein all items correspond to like numbered items in FIGS. 5-7.The system includes control device 50′″, (similar to the control device1 of FIG. 1), and plug-and-play connectors 82 being provided tointerface with plug-and-play cable 83 to achieve dimming control of oneor more controllable luminaires 84 in response to signals from localsensors 72 (e.g. motion sensors) in addition to, instead of, or incombination with radio frequency transmissions received via the receiver57.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 12, yet another exemplary embodiment of acontrol system is shown, wherein control device 90 (similar to thecontrol device 1 of FIG. 1) is connected to multi-circuit buildingwiring 91 and provides both unswitched power for one or more conveniencepower receptacles 92 (such as those provided in association withportable office furniture) and switching control of one or more similarconvenience power receptacles 93 via one or more switching relays 94 ofswitch circuit 1 a (of FIG. 9) in response to transmissions from remotesensors, sensor networks and/or building energy management systemsreceived via a plug-and-play receiver 95 (similar to receiver 2 ofFIG. 1) and in response to signals from local sensors 97 (e.g. motionsensors) via plug-and-play connectors 96. Furthermore, control device 90may be configured to connect to a modular wiring system 98 viaassociating multi-circuit connectors 85 and 86, said connectorsconfigured to associate one or more of the modular wiring systemcircuits 98 with switching relays 94 of controller 90 while connectingone or more of the modular wiring system circuits 98 directly to thebuilding wiring 91 thereby providing a desirable mix of controlledconvenience power receptacles 93 and uncontrolled convenience powerreceptacles 92. Advantageous operation allows an appliance or plug loadsuch as portable luminaire 87 to be switched on and off in response tolocal occupancy or time-of-day signaling received by control device 90via receiver 95 when said appliance, luminaire or plug load is poweredvia one of the convenience outlets of receptacle array 93. FIG. 9 alsoreveals that control device 90 may be configured with extended portion88, extended portion 89, or both, which may constitute a multi-conductorcable assembly.

Still further, FIGS. 10 and 13 disclose another exemplary embodiment ofa control system wherein all items correspond to like numbered items inFIGS. 9 and 12, respectively. The system includes a control device 90′(similar to control device 1 of FIG. 1) and plug-and-play connector 101that is provided to interface with plug-and-play cable 102 to achievedimming control of one or more controllable luminaires 87 in response tosignals from local sensors 97 (e.g. motion sensors) in addition to,instead of, or in combination with radio frequency transmissionsreceived via the receiver 95.

It should be appreciated that the imbedded radio receiver 95, shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, affords an advantageously compact and simplified systemfor achieving the above-described on/off switching and dimming controlwhen the respective controllers are not positioned proximate tomaterials that diminish or attenuate radio frequency signals.

Referring next to FIG. 11, another exemplary embodiment of a controlsystem 110 is illustrated. As shown in the system 110 of FIG. 11, thecontrol device 1 and receiver 2 shown in FIG. 1 (and shown similarly inFIGS. 2-10) are replaced by a first control device portion 112 disposedremotely of a second control device portion 114. Notably, it iscontemplated by this disclosure that the first control device portion112 and second control device portion 114 could replace any of thecontrol devices and receivers (respectively) of FIGS. 1-10.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first control device portion 112, which isdefined by a first portion housing 116, is configured for receivingpower from the building via wiring 118, and is also configured toprovide switched and unswitched power to at least one power output 120,120 a via wiring 122, 122 a (the power outputs 120, 120 a furtherprovide power to plug load devices and portable luminaires such asluminaire 124). The first control device portion 112 also includes aswitch circuit 126 (like circuit 1 a of FIGS. 1-10) and auxiliary powersupply 128 (like supply 1 c of FIGS. 1-10) housed within the firstportion housing 116. The switch circuit 126 allows the wiring 122 a toprovide switched power to the power outputs 120 a (while outputs 120receive unswitched power from output wiring 122).

Connected to the switch circuit 126 and auxiliary power supply 128 is acontroller or circuit board 130 (like controller 1 b of FIGS. 1-10). Thecontroller 130 is disposed in the second control device portion 114 asdefined by second portion housing 132. The controller 130 is connectedto and receives signals from a radio frequency receiver 134 disposedwithin the second portion housing 132 or at least partially extendingfrom the second portion housing 132 (for example via an antenna). Due tothe nature of radio frequency signals, transmissions received by thereceiver 134 and provided to the controller 130 may originate fromdevices located long distances from the controller 130 and luminaire(s)124 and/or from devices that are separated from controller 130 byobjects or constructions that are penetrable by radio frequency signalsbut cannot be penetrated by other signal types (e.g. infrared signals).The controller 130 may also receive signals from various sensors 136(such as the wired, plug-and-play occupancy sensors plugged into thesecond control device portion 114 in FIG. 11), and send signals directlyto the luminaire(s) 124 (such as to a controllable ballast 137 of aluminaire). This transmission of signals to the luminaire(s) 124 mayoccur via a wired plug-and-play connection as shown in FIG. 11, or via awireless transmission from the receiver 134 should the receiver 134 beconfigured as a transceiver (which is contemplated by this disclosure).Similarly, any input received by the controller 130 (from thereceiver/transceiver 134 or sensors 136), may be transmitted to othercontrol system receivers (such as any of the receivers identified in theabove described embodiments) deployed within radio signal range ofreceiver/transceiver 134, to control plug load power outlets connectedthereto.

Notably, the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 shows the first controldevice portion 112 and the second control device portion 114 (andelements disposed therewith/therein) to connect and communicate via aplug-and-play wired extension 138 similar to the extension 7 of FIG. 1.It should be appreciated, however, that this wired extension may also bemore permanently associated with the first control device portion 112and the second control device portion 114, such that the connectionwould not be considered a plug-and-play connection.

It is additionally noted that, in any of the above or other exemplaryembodiments, the aforementioned receiver may be a transceiver capable oftransmitting signals from the controllers to other wireless enableddevices and/or building energy management systems.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor substance to the teachings of the invention without departing fromthe scope thereof. Therefore, it is important that the invention not belimited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the apportionedclaims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first,second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the termsfirst, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control device for use with two or morebuilding power circuits, the control device delimited by a controldevice housing and comprising: a receiver configured to receive radiofrequency signals; at least two power outputs configured to receivepower, the first power output being associated with a first power inputand the second power output being associated with a second power input;and at least one switching relay associated with at least one of thefirst and second power inputs configured to provide switched power to atleast one of the first and second power outputs in response to radiofrequency signals received by the receiver.
 2. The control device ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second power inputs andthe first and second power outputs is a multi-conductor cable assembly.3. The control device of claim 1, wherein the at least one power outputreceiving switched power is provided via at least onequick-connect/quick-disconnect plugging connector.
 4. The control deviceof claim 1, wherein the receiver is disposed remote of the controldevice housing.